Without the mentors in my life, I could never have kept on keeping on.

The music teacher of my adolescence prepared my university audition with me so that I could study music at a higher level. He also inspired and challenged me to do my best.

Today the chorus I sing in has, in its chorus director, such a mentor.
He and his wife are stalwarts in his church.
The chorus is outside the church, though, and draws in
people from very diverse backgrounds;
he holds it all together with encouragement, humor, and dedication.
He's getting on in years, and I will miss him so much when he is gone.